Jewish Synagogue, Kerala
Located in a corner of Jew Town in Kochi, Kerala, the hundred-year-old Jewish Synagogue houses many rare antiques that woo a lot of visitors during their Kerala Holiday.
It was constructed by the Jewish community on a place that is adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace, which was given by the erstwhile king of Cochin. Though it was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662, it was reconstructed a couple of years later by the Dutch.
When you enter the synagogue, its main hall will get your attention with displays of rare antique items that add to the grandeur of the synagogue and the delightful sight of the lamps and glass chandeliers, which belong to the 19th century and came from Belgium.
Its flooring is a showpiece in itself with paving of hand-painted blue willow patterned tiles (with each different from the others in terms of design), which were brought from Canton, China in the 18th century.
Further inside, there is a pulpit with brass rails, an exclusive gallery for women with gilt columns and a carved teak ark that houses the scrolls of Torah, which are encased in gold and silver, as well two gold crowns that were presented by the Kings of Kochi and Travancore to the Jewish community here.
Other valuable items the synagogue possesses are the copper plates that belonging to the 4th century with inscriptions in Malayalam.